Talks on a dispute over a new call-out and dispatch system at Dublin Fire Brigade will be held at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) today.
Planned industrial action by members of the SIPTU trade union, which was due to begin on Monday, was suspended to allow for talks.
The union had accused the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of attempting to impose a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system without consultation.
The industrial action would have initially taken the form of non-cooperation with the new system, but members have been balloted for industrial action up to and including strike action.
According to SIPTU, members are concerned that the new call-out system will undermine the effectiveness of emergency services in the Dublin area because it will only cover fire and rescue calls, not ambulance services.
Dublin Fire Brigade also provides ambulance and paramedic services.
"Difficult negotiations lie ahead but firefighters are ready to engage in them to further their key concern, which is to ensure they can provide the best life-saving emergency services for the people of the greater Dublin area," said SIPTU Organiser Geoff McEvoy.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said the national platform for 999 call taking and mobilising is designed to maximise public safety, underpinned by a resilient architecture.
"The system design enables any fire service 999 call to be mobilised from any of the three Regional Communication Centres," the spokesperson said.
